Energy Audits and Retro-Commissioning for Building Owners and Managers
As part of New York City’s Greener, Greater Buildings Plan (GGBP), Local Law 87 (LL87) mandates Energy Audits and Retro-Commissioning every ten years for all buildings over 50,000 square feet. LL87 provides building owners and managers insight into energy consumption and building performance with the goal of improving sustainability and decreasing energy waste.
Step 1: Energy Audit
A Partner Energy engineer will collect building energy data and catalog baseline HVAC systems, lighting and envelope conditions. The auditor will then identify capital improvements and/or system replacements that will save energy, along with measure-specific installation costs and energy cost savings. Typical measures include:
- Lighting upgrade (e.g. fluorescent to LED)
- Boiler replacement
- Roof insulation
Step 2: Retro-Commissioning
A Partner Energy retro-commissioning agent will identify opportunities for tuning and repairing infrastructure that affect the building energy use. The City prescribes Retro-commissioning focus areas, which generally consist of low-cost measures such as:
- Optimizing HVAC controls
- Testing, sealing, and balancing ventilation systems
- Ensuring or installing adequate pipe insulation
Building owners must implement corrections identified in the Retro-Commissioning study. These low cost modifications often result in significant savings with quick paybacks. Partner Energy has extensive experience working with property management staff to implement fixes, which improves performance and extends the useful life of existing systems.
The Energy Audit report identifies significant capital improvements and/or base system replacements if needed. However, the building owner does not have to act on improvements identified in the Energy Audit report.
Step 3: Energy Efficiency Reports
In the final step of LL87 compliance, Partner Energy finalizes and submits the Energy Audit and Retro-Commissioning reports to the NYC Department of Buildings to attain compliance.
When do I have to comply?
Buildings must comply with LL87 every ten years based on its Borough, Block and Lot number. The last number of the tax lot number is the compliance year. (e.g. if the building’s Block number is 01228, compliance forms must be submitted in 2018, 20128, etc.)
Forms are due by December 31st of the compliance year.
What is the penalty for non-compliance?
Non-compliance results in a $3000 fine issued for the first year and a $5000 fine for every subsequent year. LL87 Reports will only be accepted once all fines have been paid in full.
Partner Energy helps building owners and managers to identify, capitalize and implement accretive energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability projects nationwide. For more information about Partner Energy’s services, please contact the sales team at (888) 826-1216 or via email at sales@ptrenergy.com.